1. What is Gauge Pressure?

Gauge pressure is the pressure measured relative to the ambient atmospheric pressure. It represents the difference between absolute pressure and atmospheric pressure, and is commonly used in various engineering and industrial applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the gauge pressure formula:

Where:

• \( Gauge \) — Gauge pressure (psi)
• \( Absolute \) — Absolute pressure (psi)
• \( Atmospheric \) — Atmospheric pressure (psi)

Explanation: Gauge pressure indicates how much the measured pressure exceeds the atmospheric pressure. Positive values indicate pressure above atmospheric, while negative values indicate vacuum or pressure below atmospheric.

3. Importance of Gauge Pressure Calculation

Details: Accurate gauge pressure calculation is essential for pressure system design, safety monitoring, process control, and various industrial applications where pressure differentials are critical.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter absolute pressure and atmospheric pressure in psi. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the gauge pressure difference.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between gauge and absolute pressure?
A: Absolute pressure is measured relative to a perfect vacuum, while gauge pressure is measured relative to atmospheric pressure.

Q2: Why is gauge pressure commonly used?
A: Gauge pressure is practical for most applications because it directly shows the pressure difference from atmospheric conditions that we experience daily.

Q3: What is standard atmospheric pressure?
A: Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is approximately 14.7 psi or 101.325 kPa.

Q4: Can gauge pressure be negative?
A: Yes, negative gauge pressure indicates vacuum or pressure below atmospheric level.

Q5: When should I use absolute pressure instead?
A: Absolute pressure is used in scientific calculations, weather reporting, and applications where reference to perfect vacuum is necessary.